Hormonal contraception and periods

Some forms of hormonal contraception (for example the oral contraceptive pill, IUD coil, implant or injection) may affect your menstrual cycle. This could cause your periods to change in frequency or flow.

Usually, oral contraceptive pills will make your periods lighter. You may find that your periods are irregular and the flow changes while your cycle adjusts to the changing hormones. After taking the pill for around 6 months, your periods should have formed a regular routine, so you will be better able to plan when they are due. Some women have also reported that their periods stop completely while taking the contraceptive pill.

Hormonal injections can also cause your periods to be irregular for a while before your body adjusts to the hormones. Some women report heavier periods when they start receiving hormonal injections, although periods usually become much lighter and less regular over time. A contraceptive implant can give you irregular periods. Things should improve after about 3 months, and about 1 in 5 women won’t have periods after this time.

The IUD (Mirena) coil may also affect your periods. If your coil has been fitted in the last 6 months, you may experience some irregular bleeding or spotting (light bleeding at an irregular time of your cycle). After the initial 6 months, many women find that their periods completely stop. Some also say their periods become much lighter or irregular. This is quite common and nothing to worry about.

HRT and periods

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a form of medicine that’s used by some women at the start of the menopause. It replaces the hormones that your body naturally stops making when you start the menopause.

You can find out more about this by reading our menopause page.